Wheel



Dec. 28, 1926. 1,612,074

H; A. STODDARD WHEEL Filed May 27, 1919 INVENTOR. f/df/ 27. Sfoddard ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 28, 1926.

remit nmrsn s'rar ss Parent HART A. STODDARD, OF PHILADELPHIA. PENNSYLVANIA. ASSIGNOR, BY HEESNE A SIGNMENTS, TO BUDD W'HEEL COMPANY. 05 TrHILADELlJHIA, IENNSYLVANIA, A

CDRPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

WHEEL.

Application filed May 27,

This invention relates to an improvement in wheels and the method of making the same, and is particularly applicable in c0nnection with metal wheels of the disc type.

One object of the invention is to provide improved means for sec-uringa rim or felloeband in position upon the felloe of the wheel.

A further object of the invention is to provide a wheel of the character described. which is of simple construction and eiiicient in operation.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide an improved method of constructiig wheels of this character.

Further objects of this invention relate to economies of manufacture and details of construction, as will hereinafter appear from the detailed description to follow.

The objects of the invention are accomplished in one instance by the devices and means described in the following specification, but it is evident that the same may be varied widely without departing from the scope of the invention as pointed out in the appended claims.

A structure constituting one embodiment of the invention, which may be the preferred, is illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof in which:

Figure I is a vertical-transverse sectional view of an all metal wheel.

Figure II is a perspective view of a portion of the rim illustrating the cutting out of the lug portions.

Figure III is a perspective view of a portion of the rim showing, the position of the lugs after they are bent downwardly into engagement with the flanges of the wheel felloe.

In the manufacture of metal wheels of the type illustrated herewith. it has been found to be advisable to employ additional securing means for retaining the rim in po sition upon the felloe of the wheel in acidition to shrinking the rim upon the wheel.

In the structure illustrated herewith, portions of the rim are slitted. and after the rim is applied to the felloe of the wheel these portions of the rim are forced downwardly in the form of lugs so as to engage with the felloe of the wheel and prevent the removal of the rim therefrom.

In the embodiment of the invention illus- 1919. Serial No. see 060.

metal made oppo extend radially from the hub portion of the wheel towards the rim thereof. A sub tantially circular plate ll is positioned between the metal disc 11 and the side portions of the radial braces 13. while a corresponding circular plate 16 is positioned. in a w manner between the metal disc 12 and the opposite sides of the radial brace members 12-3.

' in the formation of the felloe po. on of the wheel, the oppositely positioned and 12 have the peripheral portions thereof struck out to form oppositely positioned registering channels 18 and 19. and inturned peripheral flanges 20 and 21. l-i plurality of brace members 22 are positioned transversely of the longitudinal plane of the wheel with their ends within the registering channels 1.8 and 19,-each transverse member being provided with flanges 23, seated upon the outwardly extending portions of the discs ll. and 12, and a web 2%, which oriteruls between the adjacent edges of the oppositely positioned flanges 20 and ill so as to be substantially flush with the exterior surf cc of these flanged portions; The flanges 93 of the cross braces 22 may be secured to the outwa-rdly extending portions of the discs 1,-1.1 and 12 by being spot-welded thereto as indicated at 29. A rim is positioned upon the exterior suruiecs of the flange 2t) and 21 and the projecting web portions 24; of the cross braces, the said rim being prcfm'ably shrunk upon the felloe portion of the wheel. thus formed, after the various parts of the wheel have been properly assembled in position relative to each other.

In the securing of the rim to the flanged felloe portion of the wheel, the rim is first slit at points near the edges thereof, as in dicated at 26, in such a manner as to form cuts upon three sides of lug portions 27, the rim being fitted to the wheel so as to position the lu portions 27 at spaced intervals throng iout the circumferential surface of the felloe. These lug portions 27 are so p0- sitioned as to be formed a substantially uniform distance from the outer edge of the rim at both sides thereof, and may be located substantially opposite to each other throughout the length of the rim. The operation of slitting the rim in such a manner as to form lugs, which are separated from the main body portion of the tire upon three sides, may be performed by means of dies in the usual manner. After the formation of the lugs 27 in the manner above described,

the rim 25 may be shrunk upon the outer surface of the wheel felloe so as to be drawn into firm contact with the outer peripheral portions of the flanges 20 and 21 of the wheel discs, and the outwardly extending portions 24 of the cross braces 22. When the rim is thus properly positioned upon the wheel, the outwardly extending ends 30 of the lugs 27 are substantially in line with the inner edges of the inturned flanges 20 and 21, and the lugs 27 are punched in so as to form inwardly extending projections upon the inner surface of the rim, which engage with the inner edge portions of the inturned flanges 20 and 21 so as to positively retain the tire in position and prevent its removal from the Wheel felloe.

It will be understood that the position of the lugs with respect to the rim may be varied as desired in applying rims to ditferent forms of felloe structures, it being necessary only to position the lugs upon the rim in such a manner that the inwardly projecting portions thereof will properly register with and engage suitable portions of the wheel felloe so as to assist in preventing the removal of the rim from the wheel. This method of securing a rim to the felloe of a wheel of the all metal type provides a simple and effective means for firmly securing these parts together, and insuring their retention in position at all times and under all conditions of use.

\Vhile the method above described is illustrated in connection with a particular type of all metal wheel, it will be understood it is adapted for use in connection with any of the usual form of wheel structures wherein the telloe portion thereof is formed of metal, and upon which a rim is adapted to seat. A wheel of the form described above is particularly adapted for use in connection with trucks, tractors, and the like, where it is necessary to provide a firm and rigid wheel structure.

\Vhile I have shown and described in considerable detail a specific embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that this showing and description is illustrative only, and for the purpose of rendering my invention more clear, and that I do not regard the invention as limited to the details of construction illustrated or described, nor any of them, except in so far as I have included such limitation within the terms of the following claims, in which it is my intention to claim all novelty inherent in my invention broadly as well as specifically.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a wheel structure, the combination of a metal telloe including a pair of inturned flanges, the adjacent edges of said flanges being spaced from each other, a rim supported by said inturned flanges and provided with a plurality of lugs struck inwardly into the space between said flanges, portions of said lugs engaging the adjacent edges of said flanges.

2. In a wheel structure, the combination of a pair of spaced, parallel wheel discs each having an inturned peripheral flange, and a rim mounted on said flanges and provided with a plurality of lugs struck inwardly into the space between said flanges with portions of said lugs engaging the adjacent edges of said flanges to prevent shifting of said rim laterally with respect to said flanges.

3. In a wheel structure, the combination of a pair of spaced, parallel wheel discs each having a peripheral, laterally-opening, channel formed therein, a plurality of cross braces bridging the space between the peripheral portions of said discs with their ends disposed in said channels,'and a rim seated on said cross braces and the outer side walls of said channels and .provided with a plurality of lugs struck into the space between the adjacent edges of said outer side walls and engaging said edges to prevent lateral shifting of the rim.

In testimony whereof, I atiix my signature.

HART A. sToDnARD. 

